Senior British politician accused of sex assaults

A senior member of Britain's governing Conservative party has denied allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another.

The deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament, Nigel Evans, was arrested and questioned on Saturday about the alleged attacks between 2009 and 2013.

The 55-year-old was later released on bail.

Mr Evans has made this statement saying the allegations are completely false.

"Yesterday I was interviewed by the police concerning two complaints - one of which dates back four years - made by two people who are well known to each other and who until yesterday I regarded as friends," he said.

"The complaints are completely false and I cannot understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one as recently as last week."

No further details of the complainants have been released by Lancashire police.

Evans, who announced to a newspaper in 2010 that he was gay, has been an MP for 20 years, was elected as one of three deputy speakers three years ago.